Kindergarten-12 schools in central and eastern Arkansas will soon have enhanced leadership capacity because of a new program offered through Arkansas Tech University.

LEAD 21 is a new initiative by the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning that will make the Arkansas Tech Master of Education degree in educational leadership available to selected teachers in Pulaski County and the Delta region of Arkansas through a blended format of online course offerings and seminars.

The program is made possible through a $996,682 grant from the Walton Family Foundation.

“This program is designed to make the Master of Education degree in educational leadership from Arkansas Tech accessible to teachers from around the state who might not have previously had the ability to pursue it,” said Dr. Mary Gunter, dean of the Arkansas Tech Graduate College. “LEAD 21 will identify potential leaders in difficult to serve areas. Participants will commit to a rigorous two-year graduate program, and they will also make a commitment to remain as educators in Arkansas for two years after their graduation.”

LEAD 21 will serve two cohorts of 20 Master of Education in educational leadership students each over the next four years. The first cohort will begin its studies in summer 2013. The second cohort will begin the program in summer 2014. Dr. Matt McClure, superintendent of the Cross County School District, will serve as coordinator and facilitator for the LEAD 21 program.

“Dr. McClure brings experience working in isolated school districts,” said Gunter. “He has successfully implemented the educational theories of problem-based learning and pay for performance. He is an innovator in our field.”

Teachers interested in participating in the LEAD 21 program must meet the geographic requirements of the program, submit an application, take part in a writing assessment and be interviewed by representatives from the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning.

“LEAD 21 will create a cadre of leaders that will help schools develop leadership capacity within their districts as positions become available,” said Gunter. “Our goal is to measure the impact of the program in both student achievement and building success.”

The Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning received 34 applications for its first LEAD 21 cohort. Those applications are under review and the 20 participants in the first cohort will be announced later this spring.

“A key component to student success is having great school leaders,” said Kathy Smith, senior program officer at the Walton Family Foundation.

“This program will provide important training and help keep those leaders in Arkansas.”

Gunter said that in addition to covering the costs of tuition for LEAD 21 cohort participants, the funding from the Walton Family Foundation will also allow the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning to employ a faculty member that will teach LEAD 21 students and serve as their advisor.

“On behalf of the Arkansas Tech Graduate College, I express my appreciation to the Walton Family Foundation for its continued support of the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning,” said Gunter. “LEAD 21 is an important program because it will increase the talent pool for educational leadership in our state. We are grateful to the Walton Family Foundation for making LEAD 21 possible.”

Visit www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org to learn more about the Walton Family Foundation.

Visit www.atu.edu/cll to learn more about the Arkansas Tech Center for Leadership and Learning.